Dispelling Myths About Torture
In order to understand torture and its practice, it is important to dispel certain myths about its nature and purpose.
MYTH: Torture is practiced by "less civilized" societies
REALITY: There is no solace in the misconception that "others", that is, people different than ourselves practice torture. Modern torture has occurred on every continent and employed within regimes of both the left and the right.
...
MYTH: Torture is used primarily to obtain information or signed confessions.
REALITY: Obtaining information and confessions is not the primary purpose of torture. Signing such confessions seldom leads to relief or release. Torture is directed towards instilling and reinforcing a sense of powerlessness and terror in victims and the societies in which they live. It is a process which generates a situation designed to destroy the physical and psychological capabilities of survivors to function as viable individuals.
MYTH: Torture is meant to destroy the body
REALITY: Torture is not intended to kill the body, but the soul. Doctors and medical personnel often participate during torture sessions so as to ensure that the victim will live long enough for the strategy to be effective.
MYTH: Torture is practiced randomly
REALITY: Rarely, if ever, is torture practiced randomly. Rather torture is used as part of a continuum of repressive measures and suppression of rights or as part of state policy in order to deter real or suspected dissidents.
MYTH: Torture is punishment carried to an extreme
REALITY: While torture may be utilized for a variety of purposes (for example, to punish, to obtain information, or to coerce a third party), a primary reason for its use is as a means of social control.
MYTH: Torture exists outside of governmental responsibility
REALITY: The state is often involved in torture, either directly or indirectly. Such involvement provides adequate authorisation and even a measure of justification for the torture.
MYTH: Torture is performed by psychopaths or sadists
REALITY: While there is no doubt that there are torturers who are drawn to the trade because they are sadists, most perpetrators are not. They are part of a larger apparatus of terror that can act to shield them from the consequences of their actions.
Compounding the problem of misperceptions about torture is a "wall of sustained disbelief" that prevents full comprehension of the enormity of torture. Most people simply try to avoid the topic entirely. 7
http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/eng/tribunal/rpdspr/victorture/Pages/index.aspx
In order to understand torture and its practice, it is important to dispel certain myths about its nature and purpose.
MYTH: Torture is practiced by "less civilized" societies
REALITY: There is no solace in the misconception that "others", that is, people different than ourselves practice torture. Modern torture has occurred on every continent and employed within regimes of both the left and the right.
...
MYTH: Torture is used primarily to obtain information or signed confessions.
REALITY: Obtaining information and confessions is not the primary purpose of torture. Signing such confessions seldom leads to relief or release. Torture is directed towards instilling and reinforcing a sense of powerlessness and terror in victims and the societies in which they live. It is a process which generates a situation designed to destroy the physical and psychological capabilities of survivors to function as viable individuals.
MYTH: Torture is meant to destroy the body
REALITY: Torture is not intended to kill the body, but the soul. Doctors and medical personnel often participate during torture sessions so as to ensure that the victim will live long enough for the strategy to be effective.
MYTH: Torture is practiced randomly
REALITY: Rarely, if ever, is torture practiced randomly. Rather torture is used as part of a continuum of repressive measures and suppression of rights or as part of state policy in order to deter real or suspected dissidents.
MYTH: Torture is punishment carried to an extreme
REALITY: While torture may be utilized for a variety of purposes (for example, to punish, to obtain information, or to coerce a third party), a primary reason for its use is as a means of social control.
MYTH: Torture exists outside of governmental responsibility
REALITY: The state is often involved in torture, either directly or indirectly. Such involvement provides adequate authorisation and even a measure of justification for the torture.
MYTH: Torture is performed by psychopaths or sadists
REALITY: While there is no doubt that there are torturers who are drawn to the trade because they are sadists, most perpetrators are not. They are part of a larger apparatus of terror that can act to shield them from the consequences of their actions.
Compounding the problem of misperceptions about torture is a "wall of sustained disbelief" that prevents full comprehension of the enormity of torture. Most people simply try to avoid the topic entirely. 7
http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/eng/tribunal/rpdspr/victorture/Pages/index.aspx
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